Markets forced to shut early

TRADERS at Manchester's Christmas markets are shutting up shop Thursday - because council contractors won't be available to clean up after them over the festive season. Stallholders at other continental markets across the country will be working through the weekend ahead.

TRADERS at Manchester's Christmas markets are shutting up shop Thursday - because council contractors won't be available to clean up after them over the festive season.

Stallholders at other continental markets across the country will be working through the weekend ahead.

Markets in Birmingham, Nottingham and Edinburgh are due to close on Sunday and Monday, allowing stallholders to trade right up to the big day.

But traders in Manchester claim they are being forced home before what could be one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

The city council said that their contractors do not work over the festive period and so there would not be time for the clean-up operation if traders were allowed to stay over the weekend.

The sprawling markets, which take in 180 stalls, were due to close today but were extended by 24 hours due to popular demand.

Kerstin Loecher, from Munich, who sells chocolate-covered fruit at her Choco King stall, said: "It would be good for business to stay for this busy weekend. It would mean people could buy my produce as gifts."

Rush

Ieuan Jones, who has been running a stall in St Ann's Square, said: "We want to stay open until the rush is over but the powers that be have made the decision for us. I think a lot of traders would rather get the business than be home for Christmas."

Dirk Reichstein, who runs a German food stall in Albert Square, said: "Given the choice we would stay longer like the other cities but the council told us we must go on Thursday."

Shopper George Hogg, from Sale, said: "It's a pity they couldn't stretch it to Saturday or Monday or Christmas Eve for late shoppers."

A city council spokesman said: "There is a lot of work still to be done when the traders have packed up their vans and gone.

"Dismantling the markets is a major operation and because some of the contractors we use close for business over Christmas, the markets need to close on Thursday to ensure that the public spaces are safe and clear ready for the busy New Year celebrations.

"The Christmas markets have been open since November 15 and were originally intended to close tomorrow but trading was extended to Thursday by popular demand.

"Most of the traders have been trading seven days a week since we opened and although some would be happy to stay and trade over the weekend. Others want to pack up and go home to spend Christmas with their families, some of them travelling long distances across Europe.

"The Christmas markets make a significant contribution to the city's economy and attract many thousands of satisfied customers. We are continuing to develop plans to make it even bigger and better next year."